4 Things to Know: Mental Health Resources for College Students

As we head into the middle of January, many individuals are finding themselves getting ready for school to start. Although the start of a semester can be exciting, returning to school can be daunting, but you do not have to do it alone. Here are four types of mental health resources for college students going back to school.

1) HELPLINES

Helplines provide services that offer assistance to those who are in need or are in crisis. Although helplines are primarily a telephone service, most have a web component to accommodate everyone better. Listed below are a few examples of mental or behavioral health helplines.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
  • If you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255.
• Behavioral Health Support Line
  • The Behavioral Health Support Line uses a statewide directory to provide immediate behavioral health screening and referrals to providers at no cost. Call 1-800-923-HELP.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline is a confidential line that provides referrals and information.
• Use the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.

2) SUPPORT GROUPS

Support groups are a great way to connect with people who are facing or have faced similar concerns. Most support groups are anonymous, so you do not have to worry about confidentiality. Listed below are a few examples of support group databases.

• SAMHSA’s ‘find treatment’ page provides multiple databases to help individuals find a treatment based on their specific concerns.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups for not just those with mental illnesses but also for significant others, families, and friends of those with mental illnesses.
• Mental Health America offers an online support group called Inspire, to unite those with mental illnesses as a community.
• HeyPeers is a tool that connects individuals with peer support groups and certified coaches.

3) EDUCATIONAL

There are many organizations and websites that provide educational information to anyone that is interested in learning more about mental health. Some of these organizations work closely with research organizations and highly reputable professionals in the mental health field, so you do not have to worry about the credibility and reliability of the information you are receiving. Here are a few educational resources.

• The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers a section titled Mental Health Information where information about mental disorders is provided.
• Mental Health America is an organization that educates the public on mental health awareness.
• The American Psychology Association (APA), representing the psychologists in the United States, provides scientific research conducted by psychologists.
• The American Psychiatric Association has a section dedicated to patient education for patients and families.

4)  PROVIDERS

Seek professional help if you feel that you need it by talking to your doctor or another mental health professional. Often, it can be hard to continue your care with your current provider while in school, especially if you travel far. Try using one of the resources listed below to find a provider to manage your care.

We at Salience Health are a specialty center dedicated to treating Depressive and Anxiety disorders for ages 13 and up. Our providers are dedicated to collaborating with other specialties, both in and outside of our offices, to provide you with the best care. At Salience TMS, remission for our patients is our number one goal.  Learn more about TMS therapy and see if TMS is right for you.

• The American Psychology Association (APA) provides a psychologist locater.
• Psychology Today offers a database of therapists that can be filtered by location, concern, gender, insurance, types of therapy, age, etc.
• Openpath is an organization dedicated to providing affordable mental health care.

Returning to school can be overwhelming, especially if you are far from home. However, with these mental health resources, you will not have to go through the stress of school alone, no matter where you are.